by Melissa Haag
Kelsey: Understood and looking forward to it. See you tomorrow!
I sent another message to Mom.
Me: Want to have dinner with me tomorrow and hear how the meeting with the Council went?
Mom: As if you need to ask. Your father and I look forward to dinner. Bring Fenris if you can.
I didn’t respond to that. Given Raiden’s attitude toward me, I wasn’t entirely sure when I’d be able to see Fenris again. My hunger rose sharply at the thought, and my vision sharpened with my need to see him.
Debating if I should try calling him or not, I opened the door and stumbled a step when I saw Fenris sitting on the floor against my bed. As soon as I entered, he rose gracefully and came to me.
“I’m sorry for what my dad said. He’s only freaking out because he doesn’t believe this is real. Apparently, I’m the boy who cried wolf in his eyes. But he does like you, Eliana.”
I nodded and leaned into Fenris’s embrace.
“He told me I was a good person and asked that I send you home when I see you next. He also said that there’s a reason the elders push for wolves to be mated young.” I pulled back to look at him. “Why is that?”
“As we mature, our instincts to hunt grow stronger. A mate ties us to our humanity, so we’re less likely to hunt humans. The elders often send older, unmated wolves away to remote strongholds to prevent that. I think he’s worried he’ll need to do that with me soon.”
The thing inside of me twisted at the thought of losing Fenris.
“That won’t ever happen,” I said.
Fenris grinned at me.
“Dad just needs to be around you when you’re like this.”
I tried to duck my head, but Fenris caught my chin.
“It’s not only in your eyes, Eliana. One whiff of how you really feel for me, and he wouldn’t doubt that this is real. This is the version of yourself you need to show the world.”
“I’m barely comfortable showing this version of myself to you. Showing the world might be a ways off.”
He licked my nose.
“I know. And I don’t mind the wait, but I am looking forward to the moment when it arrives. So, tell me what I missed while you get ready for bed.”
While changing in the relative privacy of the closet, I told him about the Kraken and the need for mermaid help. When I reemerged, Fenris was already under the covers.
“I’m not sure that Megan going with Adira is a smart idea,” he said.
“I briefly thought the same, but the mermaids are in just as much danger as the rest of us if the god isn’t appeased.”
“I wish she would have found out which one it is. I’m hoping for Oden.”
“Of course you are. I’d rather none of them were awake. They may have made us, but I like being my own person and doing my own thing. The idea of a god returning and controlling our actions again is terrifying.”
I slid under the covers with Fenris and snuggled up to his side.
“I’m glad you’re not sending me home,” he said, wrapping an arm around me.
“I’m selfish and hungry like that.”
“You’re the least selfish person I know. Take what you need, Eliana. And if you feel like paying up on my two minutes of scratching while you eat, I won’t mind a bit.”
Chapter Fifteen
I was licking the frosting off a slice of triple-layer lemon cake when the buzz of my phone invaded my lovely dream. No matter how hard I fought to stay where I was, the second buzz pulled me out of heaven and into the real world. I tipped my head up to look at Fenris, closed my mouth, and tried to roll off of him.
“Do you know how long you were licking me?” he asked, his voice a rough growl.
Mutely, I shook my head.
“Not nearly long enough. Ignore the call. Keep eating.”
“You tasted like lemon cake. What are you feeling?”
“Unwilling to give you up just yet.”
I glanced at the early morning light shining through the window and smiled at him.
“Unfortunately, I think we’ll be discovered if we stay in bed all day. There’s always the red room later.” Interest lit his gaze. “Go home and change. Spend some time with your dad to reassure him that you’re not two seconds from attacking humans. In fact, you should come with me after school to check in on Kelsey and Zoe. That might help ease his mind a little, too.”
He sighed and released me.
“My chances of reassuring my dad are just as slim as you licking me in the red room.”
“You’re probably right,” I said with a grin as I left the bed. “I guess you’ll need to wait for tonight.”
“I’ll be able to think of little else now.”
“Good. Maybe I’ll win a few games.”
“Hmm. Playing dirty? I like it.”
I laughed at him before closing myself in the bathroom. By the time I reemerged, he was gone, and my bed was neatly made.
The messages waiting on my phone killed some of the joy a night in Fenris’s arms had brought.
Megan: I’m meeting Adira at the lake in five minutes. Wish me luck.
Megan: It didn’t go well. Apparently, the Oracle went mermaid fishing because of my visit last night. I told the mermaids not to be mad at me.
Megan: Adira got pissy when I told them that I could do something about the Oracle killing their kind if the Council would pass a law to prevent her from doing it. Anyway, since it’s a bust getting mermaid help here, we’re headed to the coast. Oanen’s with me. Have fun at school!
Me: Have fun at the coast, and stay out of the water!
She sent back the thumbs up emoji. We both knew that Megan was unlikely to listen if she thought for an instant that she’d be more productive in the water.
Shaking my head, I grabbed my things and headed out the door. The Academy parking lot had a smattering of cars already in it when I pulled into my spot. I settled into my car to wait for Fenris. More vehicles trickled in over the next few minutes. I didn’t pay them any attention until someone knocked on my window.
The start of a smile on my lips died away when I saw who it was.
“Nice artwork,” River said through the glass.
“Megan thought it looked like sperm.”
River’s face darkened. “She should have stayed away from the Oracle. Six died last night because of her.”
“Six died because the Council is allowing the Oracle to eat your kind. Megan only wanted to find out why the banshees sang and if it was related to the earthquakes.”
“So I heard. I hope whatever god it is eats her alive.”
She dragged her nail across my window, leaving a scratch in the glass.
“Have a great day, Eliana.”
“You too, River.”
She showed me her teeth and left. I sent Megan a quick text.
Me: The mermaids are definitely angry.
Megan: I want names of anyone who picks on you.
Me: Nope. Stay focused. Find the Kraken, and try not to make enemies of the saltwater mermaids.
Megan: I make no promises.
The heavy thump of music drew my attention. Grinning, I got out of my car and watched the red convertible pull into the parking lot. My humor faded as I saw who drove. Based on the expressions on the other occupants’ faces, I wasn’t the only one unhappy about the familiar blonde’s return.
Fenris saw me and leapt from the back of the car. A second later, I was wrapped in his arms and holding him as he shook and breathed in my scent.
“I shouldn’t have gone home,” he muttered.
“Why?”
“I had to submit to a tracking spell. There will be no running and hiding anymore,” he said, pulling back to look at me.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Aubrey said from behind him. “It’s not like you’re the only one with a tracking spell.”
His gaze met mine, and I felt his barely contained anger.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said.
He
closed his eyes and nodded. When he released me, I saw Aubrey studying us closely.
“You have your hooks in deep, don’t you, succubus. I’m not worried though. The mating call trumps everything. He’ll be mine by sunrise on Sunday. Right girls?” she asked, looking back at the other three.
It was then that I noticed the scratch on Willow’s cheek and the bruising around Jenna’s neck. Only the warning look in Jenna’s eyes kept me from asking what had happened.
“Right, Aubrey,” Laurel said with a smile. “He won’t even remember who Eliana is.”
Satisfied with the answer, Aubrey smirked at me and looked at Fenris.
“Walk me in?”
“Walk yourself in, Aubrey. I’m assigned to stay with Eliana while I’m in school. Adira’s orders.”
A hard glint crept into Aubrey’s gaze.
“Perfect.”
She pivoted on her shiny stilettos and marched inside, Laurel right on her heel. Jenna lingered.
“Don’t be mad at Laurel. She knew she wouldn’t have a chance against Aubrey and submitted without a fight.”
“But you and Willow fought?” I asked.
“Not that it did any good.”
“Go,” Fenris said. “She’ll get worse if you make her wait.”
Jenna jogged to catch up to Willow, who had also lagged behind.
“Care to fill me in?” I said to Fenris.
“There’s a pecking order in the pack. It shifts when challenges are won or lost. Since Aubrey was gone for so long, she challenged the others for her place again. It happened when I was gone. But according to my dad, Aubrey won by a landslide.”
“That sounds like he was proud of her.”
Fenris exhaled heavily. “He was. There’s a lot about the pack that you don’t know. We keep how we work to ourselves.”
“Your dad mentioned something about the Council staying out of how the pack did things. He made it sound like it was a condition of backing the Council.”
“It is. Let’s talk about this inside.”
Hand in hand, we entered the Academy. The halls were crowded, and more than a few people noticed that we were holding hands. Fenris’s thumb stroked over my skin, calming some of my PDA fears.
When we reached our assigned room, there was a sheet of paper on the door with both our schedules listed and a handwritten note from Adira.
Back to class as usual. Public feedings are now part of the curriculum.
Fenris ripped the note from the door and tried to open it. It was locked.
I grabbed my phone.
Me: Is Adira with you?
Megan: Yep. We’re waiting for mermaids to show up.
Me: She’s on my list. Tell her to portal her butt back here.
Megan: On it.
Barely a minute later, a portal appeared in the hallway nearby, and Adira stepped through.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
“You know there is. I’m not going to be forced into public feedings. If you want me in school, give me back the room.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t do that. In order to keep what little peace remains in Uttira while Megan and I search for answers, I made a bargain with Raiden. Part of that bargain is that I will no longer allow Fenris to spend time with you in that room.”
“What’s the other part?” Fenris asked.
“That I portal you home at the end of each day.”
“Why? What’s the point? He’s already tracking me.”
“And he knows Eliana has the means to remove a tracking spell.”
Fenris was so livid he was shaking with it. That thing inside of me responded in kind. My vision darkened with my rage, and I stepped closer to Adira.
“Listen well, frost giant. You will not lay a hand on Fenris. His father does not own him. I do. Don’t ever forget that.” Fenris’s hand settled on my shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze to calm me enough that I stepped back. “You’re the one who pushed us together, Adira. Now deal with the outcome. I’m done playing your puppet and would rather starve than give into the public feedings you want so badly.”
I turned to Fenris. “Let’s go to class.”
When I glanced over my shoulder, Adira was gone.
“At least, she kept our schedules the same,” Fenris said. “Maybe we can find somewhere quiet during lunch.”
I knew he was worried about me feeding and gave him a small smile.
However, when we walked into first period, I saw Adira’s little information bomb hadn’t contained everything. Fenris’s seat was open, as was one at the very front of the room. The seat I normally took was now occupied by Aubrey, who playfully waved at Fenris.
I didn’t take my seat. I’d meant what I’d said to Adira. I was done playing games.
“Are you in all of Fenris’s classes?” I asked.
The room fell silent and every set of eyes went to Aubrey, which I could feel that she loved.
“I am. Seating has been assigned, too, in case you’re wondering.”
I turned to Fenris, and he gave me a sad smile.
“Go. You don’t have to be here even if I do.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. This isn’t on you. I know who’s to blame.”
“Aw, this is so touching,” Aubrey said.
A few students tittered. My eyes went dark again. When I would have swung my head in their direction, Fenris cupped my face, stopping me.
“This is me preventing you from doing something that you might regret later. I love you, Eliana. A change in class schedules…a tracking spell…a portal home…none of that will change how I feel.”
I closed my eyes and nodded. Then I left him in the room.
Anger didn’t begin to describe how I felt. I seethed. I wanted to call Megan to vent but knew that my drama would only distract her from possibly saving the world.
Once in my car, I debated calling Mom. However, I doubted having both of us equally angry at Adira and Raiden would result in anything productive in the long-term. The most likely outcome would be Mom wanting to kill one or both of them. So, I settled on texting Kelsey.
Me: Would you mind if I came over now? Looks like I’m skipping school today.
Kelsey: We have nothing better to do.
Kelsey: Sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.
Rather than replying, I headed to their house. The pair must have been watching for me because Kelsey had the door open as soon as I parked.
“Are you mad?” she asked.
I paused on my way up the walk and realized my vision was sharp.
“I am, but not at you. Give me a few minutes. I’ll knock when I’m ready to come in.”
She nodded, but instead of closing the door, she sat in the doorway and watched me pace.
“Megan should have warned us when we said yes that the only thing on the TV here would be reruns of shows from fifty years ago,” she commented after only a moment. “It wouldn’t have changed our answer, but we might have negotiated for a deck of cards or some games, too.”
I stopped my deep breathing to look at her.
“You don’t have anything to do?”
“We have the books from Ashlyn, but you can only read terrifying information so many times.”
My vision returned to normal as my curiosity rose.
“What books did she give you to read?”
“Would you like to come in and see?”
Inside, Zoe sat on the couch, idly flipping through television stations in bored resignation.
“Hi, Eliana,” she said without looking at me. “So, when you’re in our house, is it safe to look at you?”
“As safe as it is anywhere else.”
“Which means it’s not really safe,” Kelsey said, directly meeting my gaze.
“I have lapses more often than I would like. You saw what happened to Eugene in the pool.”
She nodded. “That’s one of the reasons we stopped going there. You helped us see how out
of our depths we were. And it’s why Ashlyn loaned us these books.”
She pointed to a stack of what looked like six leather-bound journals sitting on the table. I picked one up and thumbed through the pages of handwritten notes.
“It’s information she’s gathered on all the different species,” Kelsey said. “A lot of it was from her uncle. She started taking notes whenever he told her stuff because she knew druids could make her forget things. There are more books that she promised to loan us in her house. If she ever comes back.”
I set the book down and didn’t bother hiding the pain I felt at the reminder.
“I really hope that’s soon,” Zoe added. “I am so bored.”
“Bored, but fed and warm and not worried about being raped at night,” Kelsey said with a warning glare.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Be grateful for what we have, and live in the moment.” She turned off the TV and looked at me. “As you can tell, we’re tired of each other’s company and are desperate for a little outside conversation.”
I smiled slightly and took a chair to settle in for some conversation. Kelsey and Zoe were fun to talk to and animated about what they’d learned of the Mantirum world. While I could sense their underlying wonder, I also felt their very real fear, and reiterated the rules that would keep them safe.
“You’re honest and open with us, and Ashlyn trusts you. How do we know who to trust and who not to trust?”
“Everyone should be on the do not trust list.”
“So trust can’t be earned?” she asked.
“I wish I could tell you it could, but I think that would be a disservice to you. So many creatures here will attempt to win your trust, not because they want to be your friends but because they have some other goal.”
“Like eating us or forcing us to make out with them?” Zoe asked bitterly.
“Yeah. I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’re just coming to terms with the fact that we’ll be lucky to go through life with one or two friends. We’re okay with that. And now that Megan’s back, I’m sure things will be better.”
I wrinkled my nose, which Kelsey saw.
“What?”
“Megan’s gone again. But hopefully, only for the day.” I filled them in on Megan’s visit to the Oracle—they had so many questions about that one—and her need to find mermaids on the coast to talk to the Kraken and get information about how to appease a god.
